One of the cars believed to be involved in the incident – a Ford Focus – was found abandoned in the street.

Neighbours described a car chase and hearing a screeching of tyres in the street. They also said the police helicopter was circling above.

A local resident, who did not want to be named, told the ECHO: “We heard a car chase – there were about four or five cars and one lad was trying to get into one of them.

“The next thing we heard was two shots and then one of the cars pulled up.”

Detectives are still trying to locate the other car involved in the confrontation, believed to be a silver BMW. No-one is believed to have been injured and no houses were damaged in the shooting but patrols have been stepped up in the area.

Another neighbour said: “We didn’t hear the shots but we saw all the blue flashing lights at about 8pm.

“We didn’t know what had happened but there were loads of police and the helicopter was up.”

The road remained sealed off by police yesterday morning.

Detectives have been carrying out house-to-house enquiries in the neighbourhood as part of their investigation.

A spokesman for Merseyside Police said: “Shortly after 8pm patrols were deployed to the Landford Avenue area of Walton after several people reported hearing gunshots.

“On arrival officers found no-one injured or any damage to any house but a search revealed evidence that a shotgun had been discharged in the street.

“A Ford Focus was later found abandoned nearby and has been seized for a forensic examination.

“An area of Landford Avenue remains cordoned off and investigators have been at the scene carrying out house-to-house enquiries.

“A highly visible police presence is in the area to reassure the community.”

Anyone with information that could help the police investigation should call the Matrix team on 0151 777 5699 or leave information anonymously with Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.